Phillipsburg council hears proposal for sale of Eagle Hotel

Building's owner says buyer wants to turn it into educational center.

July 15, 2004|By Harley Payette Special to The Morning Call -- Freelance

One of Phillipsburg's longest-standing vacant properties could be back in business by year's end, Town Council learned Tuesday.

Phillipsburg resident Vincent Tarsi told council he wants to sell the Eagle Hotel, 360 Chambers St. -- a mixed commercial and apartment building that has been vacant for 15 years -- to another resident who's considering turning it into an educational center.

Tarsi bought the building from council for that intention in 1998. However, he hasn't been able to complete the project because of other development commitments.

"I only have two hands, and I can only make it as fast as I can work," he said. Tarsi has restored historic buildings on Washington Street and is working on 43-45 S. Main St. He has restored the exterior of the building.

The potential buyer, whom Tarsi declined to name, would start repairing the interior immediately and could have the building finished in four or five months, Tarsi said. The new owner's proposed use, an educational center on the bottom floor with two apartments on the second floor and one on the top, is the same as Tarsi's. However, before the building can be sold, council must lift a deed restriction.

Tarsi argued that allowing him to sell now would expedite the project and would give him an opportunity to fix other properties. "The sale of 360 Chambers St. will start the dominoes falling all around," he said. "The result will be the beautification of Phillipsburg."

Council decided to address the deed restriction at next Tuesday's meeting. "I think it's a good idea," said council President J.P. Stettner.

The three-story building dates back to the 19th century, and from 1908, under the stewardship of Sherman Coss, to the early 1980s it housed the Eagle Hotel.

Local historian Ron Wynkoop is pleased to see the building move back into activity and doesn't mind the change from hotel/tavern into an educational center.

"At least they're trying to fix it up and bring in a successful business," he said. "It went the way of a lot of vintage hotels. It had its ups and downs like everybody else. In its heyday it was a useful building for the community."

In other business, council directed attorney Howard Vex to prepare a resolution fining Dean Valis of Hillsborough for not completing council-ordered repairs on his property 52 Cedar Alley.

On April 20, council in a habitability hearing ordered Valis to bring the vacant building up to code or face fines of $500 a day until the work is finished.

Building inspector Kevin Duddy said only minimal improvements were done and Valis has not contacted the town to explain the delay. Council decided to implement the fines retroactive to June 22.

Councilman Dave DeGerolamo hopes this action serves as a lesson to other property owners who don't comply with council's orders for repairs.

"If you don't adhere to what's proposed, then you're going to bear the fines," he said.